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Villa starlet returns

By Tom Adams

Peter Whittingham returns to Aston Villa after ending his loan spell with Burnley.

Peter Whittingham has returned to Aston Villa after his loan spell with Burnley was not extended.

The young midfielder appeared nine times&nbsp;whilst on loan at Turf Moor and made a good impression with the Championship outfit.

However, Villa boss David O'Leary has now called on the 20-year-old as he requires cover after an injury to Cameroon international Eric Djemba-Djemba.

Whittingham had recently expressed his intention to remain with Burnley until the end of the season, and Cotterill had spoken to O'Leary regarding an extension to the deal.

However, the player's immediate future lies with the Premiership outfit and the Clarets boss praised Whittingham as he departed, whilst acknowledging that he arrived at a difficult juncture in the club's campaign.

"We thank Peter for his time at the club. He's a great lad and he fitted in really well here during his time with us," Cotterill told the club's official website.

"But he joined us at the hardest part of the season and it was always going to be difficult for him to make an impact.

"We thank him for his endeavours whilst he was here and wish him well for the future."

Whittingham could make a return to the Villa team for the highly anticipated derby match with Birmingham, live on Prem Plus on Sunday.